Flin Flon will receive a new ambulance as part of a Manitoba government initiative to replace 52 of the emergency vehicles across the province.
Premier Greg Selinger announced the $6.2-million initiative last week, noting that ambulances would be delivered to EMS stations across the province starting in early September.
Four ambulances will come to the North, with one each in Flin Flon, The Pas, Easterville and Grand Rapids.
Glenn Hildebrand, communications consultant for the Northern Health Region, confirmed that Flin Flon will replace the oldest of its three ambulances, a 2006 model. The other two are 2013 and 2015 models.
“These new ambulances will help provide a more comfortable and safer ride for patients while reducing the risk of injury to paramedics,” Selinger said in a news release.
According to a government press release, the new ambulances will have a liquid-spring suspension, which promises to provide a better ride for patients on rough surfaces.
Front-line paramedics were consulted in the redesign process for the new ambulances. Due in part to their recommendations, the new vehicles will include a feature that lowers the patient loading height into the ambulance, which reduces the risk of back injuries for the workers.
